The Sacrifice

Søren Kierkegaard says to suffer
more precisely. Let the bitter soul be
loved by God.

Does he know what he's asking?
When a man has lived even a few years,
the heart's a grave, a poor burial plot. Look—

there they lie buried in forgetfulness:
promises, intentions, resolutions,
not to mention the shadows of crimes and lies.

Still, Kierkegaard insists on surrender:
empty the self in tranquil abandon.

He uses words like unchangeableness
or fear and trembling. He quotes Scripture—
purity of heart is to will one thing.

Be love's sacrifice.
Sacrifice, Kierkegaard would insist.

Kierkegaard sounds like God, who asks,
"Have you now anything to complain of?
Though embittered by childhood and youth,
do you not now have my infinite love?"

Copyright © 2006 Richard Jones All rights reserved
from Apropos of Nothing
Copper Canyon Press
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission